Many people have asked that question. In all likelihood, you were one of them. I know I was.

Where was God on 9/11? He was exactly where He always is: on the throne of Heaven, in total control of everything that happens in this universe.

He was there to give peace and strength and wisdom to the passengers on the planes as they tried to overtake the hijackers.

He was sending rescue workers to save the lives of thousands of people by getting them out of burning buildings.

He was comforting the people who were left in the buildings... and He was trying to comfort their families at home.

He was there. He was crying FOR us... and He was crying WITH us.

From our seat down here, it appears as if God took the day off on 9/11. But from His seat on the Throne, He sees the big picture.

Could He have stopped it from happening? Absolutely. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. (Matt 28:20)

But God always has His glory and our best interest in mind, even when it doesn't seem that way. Even when it APPEARS as if He had turned His back... and shut His eyes... and plugged His ears... while commercial jets were being used as bombs to kill thousands of innocent people. Or when it SEEMS as if God was missing in action while tornados and hurricanes and earthquakes level entire cities. Or when you pray so hard for something, but the answer you want just doesn't happen. Sometimes God says, "No" to those prayers... or sometimes He's just silent... and it's very frustrating and disturbing and distressing. But we can trust that God always has His glory and our best interest in mind.

And with regard to 9/11, we have to remember: God is not responsible for the evil acts of mankind. We live in a fallen world, full of depravity. That's not God's fault, that's our fault. There are consequences to our actions. And as drastic as it might seem, God sometimes allows a person -- or an entire nation -- to suffer with the intention of awakening their faith in Him.

Where was God on 9/11? I can tell you now -- without a doubt -- that God was with me, even though I didn't see it back then. I didn't realize it until later... when I had calmed down... when I stopped screaming at Him... when I was able to stop and look and see Him there. Our grief blinds us to the reality of God's presence. When we're in pain, the pain is all we can think about -- it's all we can feel. But I know that God was there with me on that day, just as He is with me right now.